Asclepeion

The Asklepeion is one of the most famous monuments on the island of Kos and is situated on a slope facing the coast of Asia Minor a mere 3.5kms north west of Kos Town. It is surrounded by woods of pine trees which triggered its discovery in the beginning of the 20th century by a German archaeologist named Rudolf Herzog. Excavation began in 1901 and continued till 1905, and was resumed in the 1930s under the Italian Archaeological mission. The Asclipeion of Kos is connected to the works of one of the most important figures of medical science, Hippocrates (460-380 BC).

The site is laid out in three terraces.

On the lowest terrace there was a stoa in the shape of the greek letter Π. To the east there is a complex of Roman baths dating from the 3rd century AD.

On the second terrace you will see the remains of a large altar which was built around the middle of the 4rth century BC and is one of the earliest structures in the Asklipeion. To the west of the altar there is a temple of Asklepios dating from the 3rd century BC and to the east of the altar there is a Roman temple in the Corinthian order from the 2nd century AD.

On the third and final terrace there lie the remains of the Doric temple of Asklepios from the 2nd century BC.

The site is quite impressive as it is surrounded by vegetation, mainly pine woods and the panorama is quite stunning, as on clear days you can admire the view of the Turkish shores on the other side of the expanse of water.